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A common complaint from hearing aid wearers is the issue with itchy ears. The benefits of hearing aids can quickly be outweighed by this uncomfortable condition. Fortunately, the causes of itchiness are simple to determine, as are the solutions. Read on to learn how you can enjoy better hearing without the annoying itch.

Typical causes

Itchy ears are generally caused by one of two things:

1) Fungus

Fungus, and sometimes bacteria, grows best in damp areas. This beans the various nooks and crannies of both your hearing aid and your ear canal can play host to an itchy fungal infection. The culprit isn't hygiene – your ears and hearing aid may be clean – but the normal build-up of moisture that occurs. Since the hearing aid is effectively plugging the ear canal, neither can dry out since there is no air circulation.

2) Irritation

To prevent fungal infections, some people unwittingly irritate the ears. Improper or over-exuberant cleaning can lead to small micro-abrasions and irritation inside the ear canal. This then causes itchiness as the irritated skin heals. If a fungal infection also still occurs, the itchiness can be compounded.

Keep things dry

Keeping the ear canal and hearing aids dry is your first line of defense. Take out your hearing aids every evening and wipe them down thoroughly. Then, leave them out so air can circulate around them to help them dry before morning.

Hearing aid dryers are small appliances you buy. You place the hearing aids inside, and they speed drying. These are especially helpful if your aid style has lots of nooks to trap moisture.

Another option is to try an open fitting style of hearing aid. These allow some air to circulate into the ear canal, which can prevent moisture buildup.

Clean properly

The next line of defense is to clean your ears properly. If you produce a lot of ear wax, then using an over the counter softening agent is better than using cotton swabs or similar abrasive means to remove the wax. These agents soften the wax so it flows out on its own or can be easily wiped out.

If you must wipe out your ears, use a very soft, non-abrasive cloth that is lightly moistened. Do not dig or scrub. For issues where the ears feel "stuffed up" or very dirty, consulting with an audiologist or scheduling a medical ear cleaning is a better option. Contact a company like Mark Montgomery MD FACS for more information and assistance.